Costing For Switching From Oil To Gas

pinkfloydian

I have a semi-detached, 4 bedroom home (built 1978) with 11 radiators, which I currently heat by oil.

I'm thinking of switching to gas but I'm uncertain of what I should cost in order to get the full cost of the job.

I'm assuming:-

1) Quote from installer will include any electrical works

2) I need to get a quote for removal of existing oil from the storage tank

3) I need to get a quote for decommissioning and removal of the old oil tank (no side-entrance, so would be tricky).

4) I need to get a price for bring the gas line from the street to the house

Have I missed anything and is there a guide cost for 2-4 above?

Tommy

finnyob

One thing to keep in mind, given your property is from the 70s like our own, if your plumbing comprises "gunbarrel" rather than copper or qualpex, you may need to have the whole plumbing redone too. Most boilers nowadays run a pressurised closed loop setup for central heating. If you do have old gunbarrel, given its age, you will definitely have to replace it or it will leak when the system is pressurised.

Calahonda52

also bear in mind that now, all domestic boilers are condensing so run with lower flow temp so your rads may/will be under sized, as well as full pf crap so if you power flush them, they may develop pin holes when pressurised

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058281157/costing-for-switching-from-oil-to-gas

I think your list is pretty comprehensive, but is it a good idea is first question. The works you are proposing could easily get into €6k.

It is not quite clear what will happen the domestic heating situation in the short to medium term, although the phasing out of fossil fuels is very much on the governments agenda.

Is there an argument to be made for maintaining what you have, with the level of expenditure necessary to provide good service for the next 5 years say, and reassess the situation at that point?

Bob Cratchit

I’m interested in this as well.

3 bed semi, tiny garden with big ugly oil tank.

I’m thinking of getting solar panels €6k for the electricity and hot water and then switching to gas for the central heating. We also have a wood burning cassette insert stove fire in one room.

im hoping this will work out. The house is cold, damp and poorly ventilated. But moving to gas would at least get rid of the oil tank

Car99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120185200#Comment_120185200

Will 6k get you solar pv capable of run ing the house and heating water and does that include storage batteries ? Gas is no cheaper than oil to heat a house with maybe even more expensive in my experience so a rather expensive way to get rid of an oil tank.

Gusser09

Op i recently considered doing this.

A few things

Gas to be brought to front of house is 250 euros. Then you nees your plumber to bring it in from there. If you want it in the kitchen youre into having floor dug etc. Messy expensive work.

Anyway we got a new condensing oil boiler with the system cleaned for 3k.

Gas with pipes laid and some replaced was coming to 6k.

The oil boiler is great. Havent looked back since.

The above didnt include oil boiler or tank removal.

Bob Cratchit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120185225#Comment_120185225

The €6k quote is the price after the Gov grant, so €8.4 total. That was for 10 (I think) panels. I don't think that includes a battery, but would have to wait until I get the proper quote. You're correct, it is a lot to spend on removing a tank, but when you've a garden like a postage stamp and you want a shed for your hobbies.. what can you do

I did look into heat pumps, but wouldn't work for a 70s cavity block semi d unfortunately

MicktheMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120185200#Comment_120185200

The house is cold, damp and poorly ventilated

Changing from oil to gas for your ch alone won't do a thing for your cold, damp & poorly ventilated house!

Bob Cratchit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120189185#Comment_120189185

No it won't, but it would at least free up some garden space and no more running out of oil.

The ventilation is the main problem. The house has internal vents only and we have to clean off the black mould weekly during the winter as condensation runs down the external walls and windows. We will have to sort the ventilation issue - probably by drilling vent holes ourselves.

I am nervous of increasing insulation as I have read up a bit on this and there is a real danger of making the mould issue worse.

MicktheMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120193203#Comment_120193203

You mentioned earlier about getting solar panels.

If it were me I would get to the root of the damp / mould issue first before spending on eco bling.😁

You say ventilation is the main issue which may well be part of it but I doubt it is all of it. On the other hand, understanding the overall ventilation efficiency dynamics at play is where the real wins are got (which encompasses not only a ventilation strategy or system but also heat loss reduction to help keep the house warmer, rectifying poorly installed insulation and other thermal bridging if possible, improved heating control ...).

Btw, the 'hole in the wall' vents you are thinking of doing has been proven over the decades not to be appropriate for efficient ventilation.

Contrary to the much held belief that more insulation is needed to reduce heat loss, in the majority of houses the dominant heat loss mechanism is convection losses (aka draughts) and not conduction (which insulation addresses) so adding insulation is generally not the answer.

Getting a proper independent heat loss / damp assessment / survey done first before embarking on 'upgrades' would be my advice.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120189185#Comment_120189185

Insulation is the key here.

MicktheMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120194090#Comment_120194090

Is it? In what sense (the general sense of reducing heat loss or specifically such as adding wall or attic insulation - not necessarily the same thing) do you mean?